Thomas Luthi continues to set the pace inQatarwith the Swiss star leading the way in FP3. Pol Espargaro was his cloest challenger with Esteve Rabat continuing his strong start to the season with the third fastest time.

While much of the winter has been spent speculating about Marc Marquez’ recovery from his vision problems that scuppered his title charge last year it is clear that the rest of the grid are not hanging around waiting for the Spaniard to regain his full speed and confidence in his Suter. Marquez ended the session ninth, over one second adrift of Luthi.